Back in 2007, a New Mexico jury awarded $3.2 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages for the alleged neglect of a nursing home patient. The defendant appealed, arguing, among other things, that the punitive damages were unconstitutionally excessive, since the ratio of punitive damages to compensatory damages exceeded 15 to 1.

Last week, the New Mexico Court of Appeals issued an opinion (Keith v. ManorCare, Inc.) reversing the entire judgment and ordering a new trial. The court did not reach the ratio issue because it concluded that the trial court made a prejuducial instructional error that affected both liability and damages, requiring a complete new trial.